Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Mental health disparities research: the impact of within and between group analyses on tests of social stress hypotheses
- Authors:
- SCHWARTZ Sharon, MEYER Ilan H.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 70(8), April 2010, pp.1111-1118.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Social stress models are the predominant theoretical frame for studies of the relationship between social factors and mental health, and propose that prejudice, discrimination and related social ills add a unique source of stress that may explain how socially disadvantaged populations produce mental health problems. Noting that researchers have used a variety of methodological approaches to study this hypothesis, the authors of this paper argue that there are disconcerting inconsistencies in research findings that have not been sufficiently considered, particularly the distinction between studies of within group and studies of between groups variation. The article covers the premises of social stress theory, empirical findings in studies of social stress, and divergence in sources of evidence, with discussion of the inference for social stress as a cause of mental disorders.
Impact of childhood abuse: biopsychosocial pathways through which adult mental health is compromised
- Author:
- COATES Dominiek
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 63(4), December 2010, pp.391-403.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The relationship between childhood abuse and adult mental and physical health problems is well documented. Over the lifespan of victims of child abuse, social, psychological and biological consequences of abuse interact in complex ways. This paper applies a biopsychosocial model to the experiences of adult victims of child abuse to examine and make sense of the complex and varied impacts of child abuse. The long-term difficulties experienced by adult victims of child abuse are discussed in relation to the neuro-biological impacts of child abuse on the child's developing brain. The impact of child abuse on neuro-endocrine functioning and the structure of the brain are explored. A number of implications for social work practice are outlined.
How does it feel for you? The emotional impact and specific challenges of mental health interpreting
- Authors:
- DOHERTY Sharon M., MACINTYRE Anna M., WYNE Tara
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review Journal, 15(3), September 2010, pp.31-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Worldwide, around 42 million people are displaced due to persecution, war or natural disaster. Where countries supply refugee mental health services, these services rely heavily on the work of interpreters. However, despite interpreters being exposed to significant client distress, little attention has been paid to the impact of mental health interpreting on the well-being of interpreters themselves. This study set out to build on limited previous work in this area. A total of 157 interpreters contracted by Glasgow Translating and Interpreting Service, UK, were surveyed. Results showed that, of the 18 interpreters who responded, 56% reported having been emotionally affected by mental health interpreting, 67% reported that they sometimes found it hard to put clients out of their minds and 33% reported that interpreting for clients with mental health difficulties had had an impact on their personal life. Respondents experienced a range of emotions in relation to their work, including anger, sadness, hopelessness and powerlessness, and 28% reported sometimes having difficulty moving onto their next job due to distress associated with a previous client. The authors discuss the findings with respect to good practice guidelines.
The effect of psychosocial stressors on the mental health status of African American caregivers of the elderly
- Authors:
- KINGSBERRY Sheridan Quarless, SAUNDERS Marlene A., RICHARDSON Agnes
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 91(4), October 2010, pp.408-414.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
Previous studies focused on African American caregivers of the elderly indicated that they experience less caregiver burden, stress, and strain than caregivers of other ethnic groups. But newer studies point to the stress, strain, burden, and depression among contemporary African American caregivers. The purpose of this article is to present an overview of the literature pertaining to the multiple stressors that affect the mental health of African American caregivers. Particular attention is paid to the psychosocial factors that affect their mental health status and well-being, such as limited economic resources, multiple caregiving roles, and dwindling social support networks. These stressors appear to affect the mental health status and well-being of African American caregivers in negative ways. This article discusses in detail the stressors, and provides recommendations that can help professionals in the aging community provide more culturally sensitive services to this at risk population.
Child abuse and autonomic nervous system hyporesponsivity among psychiatrically impaired children
- Authors:
- FORD Julian D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 34(7), July 2010, pp.507-515.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study was designed to assess the association of stress-related changes in autonomic nervous system activity with a history of either or both physical or sexual abuse among children and adolescents who briefly experienced a mildly painful non-interpersonal stressor (a routine blood draw). Documented incidents of abuse were recorded for the sample of 262 children at a residential treatment centre in Massachusetts serving high risk and seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure were assessed before and after the blood draw. The results suggested that a history of physical, but not sexual, abuse is associated with stressor-related autonomic nervous system down-regulation in psychiatrically impaired children, and that stressor-related autonomic hyporesponsivity secondary to physical abuse may contribute to the impairment of severely emotionally disturbed children.
Effectiveness of a stress-relief initiative for primary caregivers of adolescents with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- HU Jung, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 35(1), March 2010, pp.29-35.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study provides a perspective on the mental health status and analyses the effectiveness of a stress-relief programme for primary caregivers of adolescents with intellectual disability. Seventy-seven primary caregivers of people with intellectual disability living in Taiwan were recruited, of which 31 were in the intervention group, and 46 in the non-intervention group. The study involved participation in one stress management workshop (intervention group only) and both groups reading an education booklet on stress management. Findings revealed that 22% of caregivers in the study were at high risk of depressive stress and in need of mental health consultation. This prevalence was nearly six times that of the general population. The effectiveness of mental health initiatives resulted in a significant reduction in depressive stress for the intervention group. The authors concluded that face-to-face workshop were an effective way to decrease levels of depressive stress in the sample group.
Supporting indirectly traumatized populations: the need to assess secondary traumatic stress for helping professionals in DSM-V
- Author:
- KANNO Hanae
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 35(3), August 2010, pp.225-227.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This short article calls for secondary traumatic stress (STS) to be addressed in the helping professions which are exposed to risk of the condition. Since the 1980s, concern has increased about how a challenging workplace, consisting of traumatised victims of violence and crime, affect those professionals who try to help these individuals. Research has shown that these professionals tend to develop occupational stress symptoms, which mirror those that appear in people directly exposed to trauma, including imagery related to the clients’ traumatic disclosure, avoidant responses, emotional numbing, psychological somatic problems, and functional impairment. The result of this is often high staff turnover leading to loss of valuable experience. The article concludes that helping professionals must be protected from STS in order to best help clients deal with their own traumas.
Predictors of depressive symptomatology in family caregivers of women with substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders
- Authors:
- BIEGEL David E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Family Social Work, 13(1), January 2010, pp.25-44.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Families play a significant role in the well-being of relatives with co-occurring substance misuse and mental health problems through the provision of direct care, management of symptoms, retention of treatment and emotional support. This paper describes a stress-process model to investigate the impact of having a female family member with substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental disorder on family caregivers’ depressive symptomatology. Eighty two women receiving substance abuse treatment and the family member providing the most social support for each woman participated. Findings showed that greater caregiver depressive symptomatology was predicted by greater care recipient emotional problems, less care recipient social support, and poor caregiver health. The caregivers were twice as likely to suffer from depressive symptomatology compared to those in the general population. In conclusion, the author suggests that interventions aimed at improving the care recipients’ social network may help to improve the carers well-being.
Forces of support
- Author:
- MICKEL Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 14.1.10, 2010, pp.30-31.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Former military personnel with mental health issues face the biggest battle of all: coming to terms with their condition. The MoD has teamed up with the NHS to provide six pilot projects which offer community mental health care for veterans. Brief details of the pilots and their services are provided.
Manual for the adult carers quality of life questionnaire (AC-QoL)
- Authors:
- ELWICK Hannah, et al
- Publisher:
- Princess Royal Trust for Carers
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 10p.
- Place of publication:
- Woodford Green
There are nearly six million people providing unpaid care in the UK. In the National Carer’s Strategy, it was reported that 71% of carers have had health problems which included poor physical and mental health. In turn poorer physical and mental health can affect the person’s ability to care, with the majority of these carers reporting that their health problems also affected the person they were caring for. This manual is intended to provide researchers and practitioners in the field of caring with a relevant and accessible instrument to assess the quality of life of adult, unpaid carers. The questionnaire can be used on a one off basis for the purpose of assessment, or as a pre and post intervention tool to measure change and the impact of support. This manual will be of interest to professionals in the fields of health and social care as well as those researching care-giving and caring organisations themselves.